I learned late of the passing of Marian, she was a beautiful and dignified lady. I knew Marian and her daughter Monica, if you knew one you knew both. These were the good days of human services when we all knew and worked with one another. Job well done Marian, May God bless the family

I was involved in hiring Marian as a counselor at Place Runaway House in the mid-1970's, and worked alongside her there until I moved out of state in 1980. I met all of her six young children there. We became friends as well and kept in touch including the two Runaway House reunions I held Vermont in 2021 and 2022 which she attended by Zoom as she was too ill to travel. Marian was a natural counselor and went on to get her MSW after she left Place Runaway House. She was wise, practical, empathetic, and a strong advocate for the teenagers, most of whom were running from very difficult situations. They felt safe and cared for by her, while she worked with them and their families and agencies to get them to the best possible place. She was very special and I will miss her. To all of her children, you may not remember me but I remember you fondly and have a few pictures of some of you. She told me all about you over the years and was very proud of all of you. Lillian Jackson

I offer my deep sympathy to the DeVance family. I had the privilege of knowing and working with Marian at Boston Central Adult High School. She was a true professional serving our students with warmth, courtesy and sincerity. I was uplifted knowing her. May she rest in peace. Gloria Adomkaitis

Our condolences to the DeVance family on the passing of your family's Matriarch. May God cover the family with peace and love. We'll keep y'all in our prayers! The Evans Family

To Monica Devance and family. Sending you my deepest sympathy and condolences. May the God of all comfort surround you with his love and peace in the days to come. You at ex c c in my thoughts and prayers continually.❤️❤️❤️

The Kelton Family extends our deepest and most sincere sympathy and love to the entire DeVance family in the loss of your precious mother and grandmother. We pray that God will comfort, strengthen and give you peace during this difficult time. We pray that as you cherish the sweet memories, your hearts will be comforted.

On behalf of Boston Juvenile Court please accept our condolences on the passing of your beloved Marian. I met Marian when I was an attorney and she conducted court investigations. When she interviewed our clients she always treated them with dignity and respect. When I became a judge I looked forward to reading her well written professional reports. Marian was a lovely, humble and dignified individual. She will be missed by the entire BJC family. Helen Brown Bryant, First Justice, Suffolk County Juvenile Court.

Marian DeVance, close friend closer sister. Our condolences to your family from our family. The road we travelled together was filled with light and love. You will be missed.

Dear Barbara! I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family. I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers for your beloved sister. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend service I will pray for her soul. Ulisses

Kelly, Michaela, Anselmo, and the entire DeVance family, I offer my sincere condolences and my continued prayers on the passing of Marian, your mother, grandmother, and the many roles she held in life. I have many fond memories of her. May God comfort you during this bereavement process and my prayer is that God give all of you peace. God knew that it was time for Him to call her home to eternal rest. For to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) Praying that you hold on to the memories to get you through this time until God's Word is fulfilled, that you will see her again one day. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. Love and blessings, Benita.

To The Devance Family, I met Marion when she was at Children's Hospital, as we worked together in the ER. At that time I was in undergraduate school, studying Social Work. Our paths later crossed when she served, ( I use that term as she honored the familie's she worked with inspite of reasons that led to their involvement), when she was a Court Investigator. By that time, I was employed at DSS/DCF. I will miss her smile, and the many stories we shared when our paths would cross. To her family I always brought her home safely from CHMC ( drove the J'Way lol). May her memories comfort you all in the days to come. I will include her and you all in my du'as/prayers. Mu'minah

Condolences to Family. Marian and I graduated from Hyde School in 1956. (She lived on Shawmut Ave and I on Hubert St). We would occasionally run into one another around Mattapan and generally do "chat and Family catch up". She will be missed.

Marian always had a friendly, warm persona I could count on to brighten my day no matter where we bumped into each other. She was universally loved by her colleagues at JQUS and will be greatly missed. RIP my friend.

Always the dedicated professional who had a keen understanding of life learned through years of working with the underprivileged. She wrote her reports with heart , respect, and compassion.

I was so sorry to hear of Marian's passing. As it turned out, she called me in December after I connected with Kirby her granddaughter who is also a Court Investigator and was on a case I was also working on. We talked for almost an hour catching up, talking about our shared history at "BJC", I told her I would look out for Kirby as she ventures forward with expert work. She obviously was/is very proud of all her children ! ✝️

Kelly, we send our deepest condolences to you and your entire family. Saying goodbye is never easy. We pray that the love and memories of your mom will comfort you in those really hard moments. Marcellus and DeShawn

When great trees fall,
 rocks on distant hills shudder,
 lions hunker down
 in tall grasses,
 and even elephants
 lumber after safety.

 When great trees fall
 in forests,
 small things recoil into silence,
 their senses
 eroded beyond fear.

 When great souls die,
 the air around us becomes
 light, rare, sterile.
 We breathe, briefly. Our eyes, briefly,
 see with
 a hurtful clarity.
 Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
 examines,
 gnaws on kind words
 unsaid,
 promised walks
 never taken.
 Great souls die and
 our reality, bound to
 them, takes leave of us.
 Our souls,
 dependent upon their
 nurture,
 now shrink, wizened.
 Our minds, formed
 and informed by their
 radiance,
fall away.
 We are not so much maddened
 as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
 caves.

 And when great souls die,
 after a period peace blooms,
 slowly and always
 irregularly. Spaces fill
 with a kind of
 soothing electric vibration.
 Our senses, restored, never
 to be the same, whisper to us.
 They existed. They existed.
 We can be. Be and be
 better. For they existed. ― Maya Angelou

Sending love & prayers to the family at this most difficult time. Lean on each other you are all you have now as the matriarch is now home with our Father. Love each other and share memories. My deepest condolences to you all.

To the Devance family, my Love and Sympathy to your entire family. May your beautiful mother rest in Heavenly Peace. Reggie, Junie and I send our deepest Condolences to all of her wonderful children. Sarah Cummings-Grant

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. I had the joy of being a very close friend of Marian for over 20 years. We also worked together for many years at BPS. She always had a smile and was quick with a humorous comeback to anything I may have said. I am grateful to have known such a beautiful person inside/out. I was amazed and appreciated the incredible efforts she made to support students and families of Boston. May she rest in love and peace.  The Bray family send their blessings and love.

Boston Juvenile Court has lost a beloved friend and member of its community. Ms. DeVance was the consummate professional; completing hundreds of sensitive and heartbreaking investigations during the many decades she worked as an independent investigator on cases involving child abuse and neglect. Her ability to focus on uncovering the true facts while showing respect and compassion for the families was unique. She was held in the highest esteem by every judge who relied on her thorough reports to make the difficult but necessary custody decisions. Ms. DeVance's dedication to helping each child and family, she interacted with, find a path to a safe and secure future was evident throughout her life's work. She will be missed and remembered. Deepest sympathies to the DeVance family has you mourn the loss of such a remarkable woman. Judge Terry Craven Retired First Justice Boston Juvenile Court

To the DeVance family, I am so sorry to hear of the lost of your dear mother. Rodney and I are praying for peace that surpasses all understanding. Blessings to each of you, Tammy Williams.

My deepest condolences. Our compassionate, loving God gives us reasons every day to count our blessings and look forward with faith, trust and confidence. I worked alongside Marian in BPS. Her dedication and love for her work was evident in everything she did. She deeply cared for the young people and families she served. What I will remember most about her was her beautiful spirit: so pleasant and consoling. Rest in Peace Marian Much Love, Naia

Kelly and family our love and hearts are with you as you lay your beautiful Mom to rest. Kelly you know your sisters are with you, and we are all here. Monique Robinson-Poole

Kelly Lytton & the entire DeVance family, I offer my deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, & great-grandmother. I will continue to hold you up in love & prayer, Shelly Casey, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Southern Maryland Chapter & NCNW, Charles County Section.